Archive for April, 2007
A Question About Sotheby’s Seller’s Commission
Friday, April 27th, 2007April 26, 2007
Jacob responded to one of my blogs with the following question:I’ve been curious about how Sotheby’s auction works recently. I know the BP rates changed recently but when I called Sotheby’s they said the seller’s commission has stayed pretty steady. I’m wondering what exactly the seller’s commission is, do you know? […]
Only in America-It’s Something In Our Culture
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007April 24, 2007
I’m taking a time-out from my regular topics on the antiques industry. I have two children in college and one in middle school; when I heard of the senseless multiple killing at Virginia Tech, it gave me some concern about my children being in harms way. That might seem a […]
The Sotheby’s and Christie’s Hedge; International Pricing
Thursday, April 19th, 2007April 18, 2007
With all the questions of how they operate, only Sotheby’s and Christie’s (that infamous duopoly) are in the advantageous position of not having to deal with currency swings. It doesn’t make a difference to them if they are paid in pounds, dollars, or euros, or what country they are performing the auction. […]
Filling the Sotheby’s Void; Finding Opportunities
Monday, April 16th, 2007April 15, 2007
As I mentioned in my prior blog, Sotheby’s (and one would expect Christie’s to follow) is abandoning the market for items that do not have a threshold value of at least $5,000.00. On the surface this should win consignments for the second and third tier auctioneers. But of course they […]
The New Merchant Bankers: Art & Antiques Backed Assets
Thursday, April 12th, 2007April 11, 2007
I am back from my first 2 week vacation since I left Coopers & Lybrand in 1974; is there a life out there? However upon my return I now have confirmation that collateralized loansĀ based on art and antiques back assets are now being conceived by the Sotheby’s new avowed profession as […]